Fem van Empel returned to cyclocross competition with a fourth-place finish at the Berencross in Meulebeke, competing under a new team structure called Specialized TMRW rather than FDJ-Suez, as reported by Wielernieuws. The setup stems from a specific organizational arrangement designed to support the Dutch rider’s winter mud campaign while keeping her aligned with the French WorldTour road squad.
Van Empel Finishes Fourth in Cross Return
Van Empel stepped back into the elite women’s cross field after taking a year-long break from the discipline, delivering what she characterized as a surprisingly strong performance in West Flanders. Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber claimed the victory at Meulebeke ahead of Aniek van Alphen and Lucinda Brand, while the returning world champion crossed the line fourth. It was immediately a good test to start with,
Van Empel told Sporza after the race, noting she suffered throughout the heavy course but ultimately enjoyed returning to the racing atmosphere. I think it’s very positive what I showed today.
Inside the Specialized TMRW Sister Team Structure
Fans watching the broadcast noticed Van Empel wearing red Specialized TMRW kit instead of the black, blue, white, and red jersey of FDJ-Suez. According to details presented by team manager Stephen Delcourt ahead of the second cross of Van Empel in Heerde, FDJ-Suez and bike manufacturer Specialized established a specific, separately registered cyclocross sister team, as detailed by In de Leiderstrui. Tomorrow Group, which owns FDJ United-SUEZ, developed the TMRW brand to foster younger talent across disciplines. The structure houses five multi-disciplinary riders for 2027: Van Empel, mountainbiker Kate Courtney, cross and mountain bike specialist Anja Grossmann, alongside Amanda Muller and Celia Gery in cyclocross.
Van Empel Limits Races to Target European Championship
Ploegleider Lars Boom outlined a measured approach for the former world champion’s winter campaign, telling Wielerflits that Van Empel plans to contest only one cross per weekend. We have already written out the coming period reasonably well,
Boom said following the Meulebeke opener. That cautious schedule aims toward a potential selection for the European Championship in Zeddam, after which team management will evaluate whether to increase her race load. Organizers of the Nacht van Woerden attempted to secure her entry, but Van Empel’s camp declined in order to stick to the planned single-race weekly format, heading next to the HC Cross at Heerderstrand.
Multidisciplinary Development Strategy for the Road
Team leadership maintains that the cross-focused subsidiary directly benefits long-term road aspirations within the broader FDJ-Suez WorldTour structure. Delcourt emphasized that disciplines like cyclocross build essential technical competence, competitive instincts, and handling confidence. Veldrijden heeft een belangrijke rol gespeeld in de ontwikkeling van enkele van de grootste wielertalenten,
Delcourt noted regarding the developmental value of mud racing. While Van Empel competes in the red colors of Specialized TMRW during the winter months, she remains under contract with FDJ-Suez, where she is slated to race on the road once the spring calendar begins.
Worth a look
